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zorro
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 10:22am
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Noticed this over the last few weeks
I have 2 pressure tanks linked to my well - well is around 410' deep and believe the pump sits around 130/140'
I was suspicious something was up and managed to test it at the weekend
When I went to bed, I filled both tanks and nothing else was running - in the morning, both tanks were empty
There are no leaks and all the pipes run under the camp, so fairly easy to check
So been doing some research and it looks as though it could be the well check valve that has gone faulty (only around 3 years old)
Had a look around the pressure tanks, but it clearly is not there
Are these normally at the well head or actually on/close to the pump itself?
Any way I can test this is the issue - and if it is the issue, do I need to pull the pump?
OR
Could I instal a new/separate well check valve up near the pressure tanks, effectively ignoring the existing valve which may have gone bad?
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Fanman
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 10:57am
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Yes, bad check valve. Probably at the pump, though I have no experience with deep well pumps. Adding another check valve before the tank should fix the problem.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 01:50pm
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I run a Grundfos Deep Well pump, that itself does not have a Check Valve. Mine is located more or less at the Top of the Well Head (about 12" down if memory serves). When my Well Driller & Pump supplier set that all up, he gave me the choice of Brass or Stainless Check Valve. As I have "Sweet Water" with very low hardness I could have went either way, but for $20 (at the time) I chose Stainless for no troubles in the long term. Brass ones CAN collect minerals & "choke".
Different Installers do do it a few different ways and sadly you & your installer the only ones who can determine that. Let's hope Simple & Easy at Well head and NOT all the way down.
Hope it Helps, Good Luck.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 05:21pm
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I have a check valve right at my pressure tank T on the inlet side. The pump is about 100ft away. Typicaly the pump will have a built in check valve. I would put a valve in to isolate the pressure tank from the rest of the piping underground first. You could have a leak in a underground line too.
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zorro
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 06:07pm - Edited by: zorro
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Thanks guys
Brettny - a good point about an underground leak - won’t be for a few weeks as I will be away, but I will dig down to the main pipe from the well to the pressure tanks - not too big a job and really sandy
I will post up some pictures of my tank set up to get some opinions on where to put the check valve if possible - will post the pictures over the weekend
Thanks
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 06:27pm
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Foot valve at the well pump leaking.
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zorro
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 07:38pm - Edited by: zorro
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Foot valve at well pump
Sorry, not sure what that is?
Is that connected to the pump or the well head or somewhere else?
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zorro
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 07:42pm
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Ah ok
So that seems to be right down at the pump……….that would be a pain!
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Irrigation Guy
Member
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# Posted: 22 Jul 2022 08:18pm
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Could be a leak in the lateral line (buried line), leak in drop pipe (pipe that pump hangs on), or a bad check valve on the pump.
If it’s a bad check valve installing an additional check valve if you are less than 25’ to static water level will make you whole again. But if it is a leak in the pipe IH or if you are deeper than 25 you will really just masking the problem. The tank will hold pressure but the piping will drain back down the well or into the ground and you will get a shot of air and likely some water hammer.
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The Grand Pooh Bah
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# Posted: 30 Jul 2022 12:37pm
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You could also have a leak in the well. Putting a check valve at the pressure tank will stop the tank from draining down, but it will not address the issue if you have a leak in the line between the pump and the tank. It is rare for the check at the pump to go out unless you are sucking sand, gravel or other debris. Would not just put a second check in the system without knowing the why you are loosing pressure.
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zorro
Member
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# Posted: 30 Jul 2022 01:42pm
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Hi
Thanks guys
Never got a chance to check anything last weekend
All I know is that there are no visible leaks - that does not rule out leaks undergrounds, in the line, etc
We are in a real sandy area, but generally, the water comes out sparkling clear with no visible sand
The pump is connected to my generator and only comes on when the generator comes on - historically, I would turn the generator on, the pump kicks in and fills the 2 tanks and they remain filled till they are used up
Now however, exactly the same as above, except the tanks drain back after a little while and clearly the pressure guage drops as a result
Both tanks are sitting around 41psi
This is a picture of my tank set up.............the water is condensation - as the well is so deep, the water is ice cold and it forms condensation on the tanks and pipes due to the extreme temp difference
So based on the comments, looks as though I really need to pull the pump, dig up the trench and have the pump, lines and valves checked
System is only around 3 years old
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The Grand Pooh Bah
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2022 02:05pm
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Everything looks good at the pressure tank, assuming the inlet is on the right side.
Pull the cover off the top of the well head. Wait for the pump to shut off, after it reaches the set pressure. Listen for water spraying in the well casing. If no sound, that eliminates that section of piping above the water level.
If you ran 160+ PSI poly pipe from your pump to the pressure tank it is unlikely the actual pipe is leaking. Fitting connections or the check at the pump are more likely the issue.
I would check where the pipe comes into the pump house or structure and where the pipe leaves the well casing as the most likely locations for a leak. Also if there are any tees in the line for outside water. Yard Hydrants can leak underground without showing up on the surface is certain soil conditions. Once you have eliminated everything above the pump you can probably blame the check on the pump.
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zorro
Member
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# Posted: 31 Jul 2022 05:47pm
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Thanks is for this - some great ideas and suggestion to try
If nothing else, it will help Eliminate a few areas before I need to dig up the trench from the cabin to the well head
Not back up to the cabin till around 8/26 (unfortunately), but will definitely try out some of your suggestions
Thank you - really appreciated
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